Editor’s note: SDS is ranking the 25 best SEC players — at any position — of the last decade. Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones is the seventh member of a 25-part daily series.

19.) GEORGIA LB JARVIS JONES (2011-12)

What Jones lacked in size (6-1, 240 pounds) as a pass rusher between the hedges he made up for with quickness, an endless motor and elite ability, registering SEC bests 45.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 28 sacks in two seasons at Georgia.

Jones finished first in the nation with 14.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss — single-season school records — despite missing two games as a junior and also led the SEC with seven forced fumbles (another program record). The SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year, Jones was also named a finalist for the Lombardi, Butkus, Bednarik and Nagurski awards.

The two-time consensus All-American had a nose for the football and seemed to always come up with a big play when it was most needed by the Georgia defense. He transferred back home after a 2009 freshman season at Southern California where he saw action on special teams. He redshirted during the 2010 campaign and returned from injury as one of college football’s most feared defenders.

Jones skipped his senior season and was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Career numbers (at Georgia): 155 tackles, 45.5 TFL, 28 sacks, 9 forced fumbles
Individual superlatives: Consensus All-American (2011-12); All-SEC (2011-12); SEC Def. POTY (2012)
NFL Draft: No. 17 overall (first round) in 2013
Defining moment: In his final Outdoor Cocktail Party rivalry battle against Florida, Jones was unstoppable during Georgia’s hard-fought 17-9 victory, recording three sacks, two forced fumbles, two recoveries and a game-high 13 total tackles.